How to Find Balance for Lasting Fulfillment

One of the hardest truths I learned during my 20 years at EY is this: Achieving work-life balance may be impossible, but attaining WORK-LIFE HARMONY is within reach. The idea of a Big 4 balance—where everything fits neatly into place—is a myth. The real goal isn’t perfect equilibrium; it’s alignment. It’s about making sure the time you dedicate to work, ambition, and personal life aligns with your values — and feels right for you. 10 truths about achieving work-life harmony: #1. There isn’t a “right” ratio — only the right rhythm. Some weeks, work takes precedence. At other times, personal priorities come first. Harmony involves accepting that flow — and trusting that it balances out over time. #2. Guilt is a poor compass. If you’re always feeling guilty — whether for working too much or not enough — you're judging yourself by someone else’s standards. Set your own. #3. Ambition comes with a price — but it should be one you’re ready to pay. Long hours and late nights are part of life in the Big 4 — but they should fulfill a purpose you believe in. #4. Busyness does not equal fulfillment. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a badge of honor. True harmony comes from knowing you’re investing your energy in what matters most. #5. Your values dictate the rules. If family time is sacred, safeguard it. If career advancement is your top priority, pursue it — unapologetically. #6. Harmony means learning to say no—without regret. Turning down a social event or declining an ambitious project doesn’t indicate failure; rather, it signifies a choice that aligns with your priorities. #7. You can’t “make time” — you can only take it. High achievers don’t find time for what matters — they seize it fiercely and deliberately. #8. Success isn’t measured by hours; it’s measured by impact. Some people work 70 hours a week and see no progress, while others focus for 40 hours and achieve great things. Effort is important, but results matter even more. #9. Setting boundaries is an act of respect—for yourself and others. Protecting your time isn’t selfish; it enables you to fully engage in every area of your life. #10. What feels “balanced” to you may look extreme to others — and that’s okay. Harmony isn’t about pleasing everyone — it’s about aligning your time and energy with what you truly value.

When I was 30, I was a savage. 16-hour days, constant hustle, and no vacations and I don’t regret it one bit. But, now at 45, as a founder and parent of 3, I’ve traded grind for intentionality. Here’s how I balance work and life without sacrificing either: == 1) Skip alcohol and THC. I used alcohol to blow off steam after long days. I thought I deserved it. Now, avoiding those crutches has transformed how I sleep, wake up, and show up for my kids. 2) Sleep is a superpower. I’m in bed around 9:30pm and wake up around 530am. Better recovery leads to thinking clearer, leading better, and showing up fully. 3) Carve out personal space. I go for a 30-60 min run first thing. My biggest breakthrough thoughts come during my morning run. 4) Involve the kids. I used to compartmentalize “work” and “family.” Now, I bring my kids into what I’m doing whenever possible. Whether it’s having them sit on my lap during a podcast or showing them what Dad’s working on, it’s a way to connect and bring them into my world. 5) Outsource house chores. Mowing the lawn? Deep cleaning the house? This is like stepping over dollars to pick up dimes. I’m sure you enjoy it to a degree, but free yourself for what truly matters: family, health, and the work that moves the needle. 6) Use time blocks. I timebox everything—whether it’s deep work, family time, or even downtime. Setting alarms and blocking time on my calendar keeps me focused and prevents the day from running away from me. 7) Be ruthless about what matters. At 30, everything felt urgent. At 45, I know the difference between important and noise. For me, balance doesn’t mean doing everything—it means doing the right things. == The key is this: Seasons of life change. When you’re young, embrace the grind. Push your limits. Be unbalanced. But as life evolves, so should your approach. This is what works for me—what would you add to the list?

Work-life balance isn't about splitting your time 50/50. Here's what nobody tells you. I spent 10 years trying to "balance" everything perfectly. 8 hours work. 8 hours life. 8 hours sleep. Like a robot programmed for equality. It nearly broke me. Because life doesn't work in neat little boxes. Some weeks, your daughter needs you at every doctor's appointment. Some weeks, a clinical trial is failing and needs your full attention. Some weeks, you're just trying to survive. The truth about balance? It's not daily. It's seasonal. Here's what I learned after 10+ years in clinical research: THE OLD WAY: → Equal hours every day → Rigid boundaries → Guilt when work bleeds into life → Shame when life interrupts work → Exhaustion from trying to be perfect THE REAL WAY: → Some days are 70% work, 30% life → Some days are 20% work, 80% family → Clear priorities for each season → Communication with everyone involved → Grace when things don't go as planned I remember when my wife had our second child. For 3 months, I was maybe 30% at work. Emails piled up. Projects moved slower. But you know what? My team understood. My manager supported me. And when I came back fully, I gave 150%. Because that's how real balance works. You don't owe anyone a perfect split. You owe yourself an intentional life. 3 questions that changed everything for me: → What season am I in right now? → Who needs me most this week? → How can I communicate my priorities clearly? Stop trying to balance daily. Start balancing over time. Your career won't collapse if you take your kid to the ER. Your family won't fall apart if you work late on a submission deadline. But you will fall apart trying to give 100% to everything, every single day. Balance isn't about the hours. It's about being fully present wherever you are. Who else is redefining "balance" in 2025? Drop "BALANCE" if you needed to hear this today. #WorkLifeBalance #ClinicalResearch #Leadership #MentalHealth #CareerGrowth #Parenting